Let’s face it. The Middle East doesn’t like us — an overwhelming majority approves of suicide bombing against us. Yet what would they do if it were not for our oil consumption? If we could to some degree become energy efficient perhaps we could get by without OPEC, though I doubt that Venezuela would forgo exporting oil to us. And there are still Mexico and Ecuador to feed our appetite, along with Canada. And with a caring EPA, ANWAR could be gingerly explored without undue damage to its pristine environment, even though it would take years. Better yet, would be a crash program for alternative fuels and a massive effort to clean up coal and go back to liquidizing it and shale.
In other words, the US should actually set up an Iron Veil to protect us from Islam’s misconception that all who do not believe in Muhammad are infidels. Therefore they should not do business with us, nor should we trade with them, and all US embassies closed. In effect they would be isolated and have no one but Israel to hate, which might subside because we would no longer give aid to Israel as well as Egypt.
At one time Catholicism reigned as the professed one true religion; though painfully resistant to the rise of Protestantism, through gradual enlightenment it learned to tolerate and accept the validity of all faiths that demonstrate spiritual tolerance. Perhaps in this mode Islam, too, might get the message. It is up to the governments of Islamic countries to rid the world of their terrorism; they should be held accountable for their home bred rogues that are causing havoc in the world and start seriously to terminate them. Granted much of Islamic beliefs are peace-loving and capable of shaping devout character but it should not deter the other side of character from nobly pursuing life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness in this world. If sects feel the need of asceticism, it should be voluntary and monastic groups formed for those who wish it. As a matter of fact a monastery would be a perfect setting for terrorist to get rid of their hostility through prayer. The rest of Islam — including the fairer sex — should be free to partake in modernity under at least a moderate form of democracy, not total theocracy. Until that happens, to hell with them.
This cold war offering would be better than a hot or holy war that is eventually going to materialize if we don’t start doing something other than targeting piecemeal another nation to invade. Is this nation brave enough to thumb its nose at the Middle East sector of OPEC — besides, they need us more than we need them — until they change their extreme authoritarianism? Are we really so diffident that we cannot face up to this challenge of ultimate energy independence?
Copyright © 2004 Richard R. Kennedy All rights reserved. Revised: March 18, 2004.